Rotary steam-engine



(No Modeln) 2 Sheets-Sheet l,

A. LEB. ROTARY STEAM ENGINE.

No. 605,805. PatentedJune 14,1898.

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i 2 Sheets- Sheet 2. No Model.) A. LEE.

ROTARY STEAM ENGINE.

180.605,805. Patented June 14,1898.

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' U'Nirizn STATES PATENT Ormea.

ALFRED LEE, OF NEW WHATCOM, l/VASHINGTO'N.

ROTARY-STEAM- l-:N Gl N E.

SPECIFICATION forming part ofl Letters :Patent No. 605,805, datedJ une14, 1898.

Application led .Tune 25,1897. Serial No.v 642,334. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom it' may] concern: l y

Be it'known that I, ALFRED LEE, a citizen of the United States, residingat'New Whatcom, in the county of Whatconrand State of Vashington, haveinvented a new'andjuseful Duplex Rotary Steam-Engine, of which" thefollowing is a specification. Y

My invention relates to steam-engines which have pistons rotating withinannular chambers, these chambers having three fixed walls and onemovable or revolving flangewall which is .secured to a central shaft,the

pistons being secured to thesefianges, which form onee'nd of the annularchambers, steam being admitted by means of. a slide-valve which isoperated by means of a cam on the main'central shaft, all forthe-purpose of rotating the central shaft and iiylwheel.

The objects of myinven'tion are to improve the generalconstruction ofsuch engines andv Figure 1 is a vertical sectional` view, nearA one end,on the line 4'4, Figs. 9 and 10, showing the piston-follower G' in theannular chamber 1'4 at the point of taking steam. It also shows asection of slide-valve E at the end of its downwardstroke, with itssteamports 9 Vand 10 open and in conjunction w-ith the curved ports inthe casing at points 11,

12, and 13, the lower edge vof valve within the recess 61,- also theexhaust-port 8, leading into chamber 7, which leads ltoward the exhaustinto exhaust-pipe 6.

Fig. 2 is a similar view-through the center of engine on the line 33Figs. 9 and l0, showing a section of casing A, with steam-inlet 5,

` which leads directly into steamfchest N,Figs. 9

and lO,and the exhaust-chamber 7 ,which leads into exhaust-pipe 6. Italso shows asection of valve E at one side of the center of valve, withcoil-spring 44 shown in elevation, also shows the valve secured to yoke36, a section of cam K;within the yoke F, the lyok'erbeing made in'twoparts, the bottom part having a bore ttingabout a stationary pistonL,'which com ,14, in which the piston-follower G revolves in va radiusfrom the shaft J The dotted lines show the piston-follower securelybolted to the iiange H at 21.-

Fig. 3 is a detail of one of the piston-fol- .lowers G, showing it withthe countersunk `head-bolts, the top groove 17 to receive the.packing-strip 15, and the bottom groove 1S to Vreceive packing-strip16, also the central hole K19 to receive the coil-spring V20, vwhichholds the packing-strips apart and against the eX- terior and interiorcircumference walls of the annular chamber 14.

f i Fig. 4 is a detail ofthe packing-strips of the piston-follower G,showing 15 convexed on its upper side to iit the radius of annularchamber 14, also showing 1,6 concaved on its lower lside to fit theradius of the interior circumference Wall of annular chamber 14.

Fig. 5 is a detail of one of the packing-pieces which is held againstvthe face of slide-valve E, showing 'one of its edges which fits the faceof the valve, with a projection at an angle of forty-five degrees at 38fitting a correspondingbevel on each outward end of valve E. TheL-shaped projection 40 extends down the face of valve in a recess in thecasing provided for it, and the bottom end is covered by the revolving.flanges H and l. These packingpieces are held against the face of valveE by the springs 41 4l, (only one of which is shown, Fig. 9.) y y Fig. 6is a detail of the lower half of the cam-yoke F, showing it with itsside lugs 54 54 to receive the bolts that secure the two halvestogether, Fig. 2, also the lower extension 55, which has a bore 57 toreceive the stationary piston L, with fourslot-openings IOO near theupper or closed end of bore placed the purpose of admitting steam abovethe stationary piston L.

Fig. 7 shows a top view of cap l), showing the top of projection 42,'also the bolt-holes to secure it to the main cylinder of the engine.

Fig. S is a vertical sectional view through the center at right anglesto Figs. l and 2, showing the face of valve E with one of its endsbroken away, showing the steam-ports 9 fl and lO l0 through the same,the top rib oi` valve 52, which is to stillen and strengthen the valve,the lug 5l to receive the coil-spring ett within its chamber lil, alsothe steam-chamber O, also the valve E, bolted to the top of yoke F, thetwo slots in the bottom edge of valve in which the flanges H and Irevolve, the beveled ends 39 to lit packi 11g-strips at 3S, theslide-valve E, slightly raised, covering the inlet-ports ll and l2 backof valve, but still covering the path of pistons in the annular chambersli lt, as when using steam eXpansively. This ligure also shows theily-wheel M and the shaft .l in full with the central cam K between thedisks 25 and 2G, the reduced end 3i within the sleeve 3l, which formsone ofthe beari11gs,the end of shaft being reduced and threaded at 33into a nut 32 with a righthand thread, the nut being threaded into thesleeve 3l with a left-hand thread for the purpose of adjusting thesleeve on the shaft longitudinally. lt also shows a section of thepiston-.[lange Il, which is a part of the casting that forms the sleeve3l. This pistonllange Il is keyed to the shaft-disk 25 by means of thekeys 2i 2l, so as to compel the shaft to rotate with it, but looselyenough to permit of the longitudinal adjustment by means of the nut justmentioned. It also shows a section of the opposite piston-flange I,which is lixed on the shaft J at and around the disk 2G by being shrunkon the same, and also has keys 24C Q-l, as shown. This ligure also showsa section of the bottom half of yoke F, showing the bore 57, thestationary piston L, with packing-ring 5S, the threaded stem, which isthreaded into lug G2, the bottom of this stem being squared to receive awrench to turn the same at 59.

Fig. El is a top view of the engine with a part of cap broken away,showing the top of slidevalve E at 52, the spring-lug 5l, the bevelededges of the two ends at 8f) Si), also showing steam-space O, the edgesof flanges Il and I, and between these the steam-space N N, the face ofone of the packing -pieces 37 held against the face of valve E by spring41. It also shows steam-inlet pipe 5 and exhaustpipe o' in the centralcasing A, which casing is bolted between the two flanged casings 13 l5,these having heads C C bolted to them, as shown.

Fig.lO isahorizontalsectional view through the center on the line 2 2,Figs. l and 2, which shows shaftJ, section of ilangeI and of flange H,with sleeve Sil, the two heads C C, with their interior projectionsforming the interiorercumterence walls of the annular chambers li li,with section of pistons, showing the packing-strips l5 l5 and 1G 16,held against the walls by coil-springs 2O 20, also showing the cam K,the bottom part of yoke F, and the lower part of stean'i-chamber N N,the upper part of this chamber being marked O, Figs. l, 2, S, and 0.

Having explained the purpose ofthe gures and enumerated the principalparts shown by each, what follows will be a more general description ofthe construction and operation of the engine, considering the differentparts of the whole engine in their relations one to another.

The cylinder or frame of engine is made in sections. The central piece Ais a separatingring placed between the two casing-rings l l) and formsthe exterior casing which surrounds the steam-chest N, in which the camK, the cam-yoke F, and the piston-llanges ll and I are placed. Thering-casingA has an open communication at the top leading from that partof the steam-chamber marked N to the upper part of steam-chamber O incap D. Through this opening extends the valve E, secured to the top partof yoke F at 36. There is in this casing an inlet steam-pipe 5, whichadmits steam, also an exhaust-pipe G and chamber '7. The two casings Bl5 are made with flanged ends to admit of bolts to secure them to thecentral casing A and the heads C C. The engine rests on the base R R,being the bottom of these casings l5 l. These casing-rings B B are of asmaller interior diameter than casing A to permit the lap on their endsof the piston-flanges ll and l. These rings B B form theexterior-circuinference walls of the annular piston-chambers li 1l.There is from these annular chambers an opening at the top, throughwhich the slidevalve E reciprocates. From this opening are located theinlet steam-ports 1l, l2, and 13. There are also located exhaust-ports8, ol. same width as steam-ports, which lead into an exhaust-chamber v7,which chamber conimunicates with the exhaust-pipe f3. The casing-rings BE and A are so shaped at the top as to permit the cap-casing D to bebolted to them. There is a recess at the intersection of these casingswith the cap-casing l) to admit the L-shaped packing-strips 37 37,located at each end of slide-valve E, also room in these recesses forsprings ll fl-l, which hold 37 37 against slide-valve E.

The heads C C, through which the shaft .l turns, are shaped at t? 47 and50 50 to eX- tend and Fit into the bore ol casings l ll and have flangeswhich are bolted to l) l5. These heads O C have a cup-shaped interiorextension t6 i0 and S i8, which is of smaller circumference than thebore of casings B l and extends fiush with the saine, forming theinterior-eircumference wall of the annular piston-chambers 1i 14. Itwill be observed that the heads C C and the casings ll B form the threestationary walls of the annular chambers 14E li, in which thepiston-followers G G IOO IIO

travel, and the flanges Hand I, to which the piston-followersaresecurely bolted, form the fourth or revolving Walls of the annular,Vchambers. vThese flanges turn close enough to thev end Walls of theannular-chambers to prevent the passage of steam.

The main central shaft J has at its center a cam K between two disks 25and 26. These disks t into corresponding recesses in piston-iianges Hand I, which flanges are kept from turning on the shaft by keys 24 24:.The

liange I ismadesecure and fixed on the shaft J at 35 by being shrunk onthe same. The

flange H has a cent-ral lsleeve extension 51,V

which has a central bore, through which the end 34 of shaft J passes,the shaft being reduced in this portion to allow for the thickness ofshell of sleeve 31. The end 33 of shaft J is still further reduced andis threaded into a nut 32 with a right thread, this nut 32 havingan'eXterior left thread which fits into a corresponding'thread in theend of sleeve 31. As this flange H, with sleeve Sl/fits loosely on shaftJ, by turning nut 32 to the right the flange H is forced toward theflange I, while a left turn separates them. By this means all 'valveatits lowest point, closing the annular chambers 14 14v behind thepiston-followers G G, with the inlet steam-ports 9 9 and 10 l0 of valveE open and in conjunction with ports marked 1'1, 12, and 13 allowinglive steam to haust-ports S 8.

enter between piston-followers G G and valve E, forcing. forward thepisto'n-followers.` As these are bolted to the flanges H and I and thesekeyed to the shaft J, said shaft will be revolved under livesteam untilthe point 27 on camvK. comes -up against the yoke F at point 30, liftingv.the same and with it the slide-valve E sufficiently to cover thesteamports 11 11 and 12 Y12,`as shown, Fig.. 8, cuttingoff all steam atthis point, then using the confined steam expansively untilI it losesits expansiveforceand is released .through eX- i As the travel ofpistons is great, it will be observed that a high per cent. of the forcein the steam will be utilized before the pistons make a full revolutionor the point 20 of cam K cornes under-the point 30 of yoke F, liftingthe'valve E clear from thev Apath of pistons.

At this point of each revolution, it will be observed, there will be adead-point, which is overcomeby the momentum of the fly-Wheel M actingon shaft J. When the pistons'have` passed the path of valve E, the point28 of cam K leaves the point 30 of yoke F, allowing the valve E to closeinstantly the path of pistons in the an- 'nular chambers by the pressureof live steam in the chamber O acting with considerable force" on theupper ends vof slide-valve `E, and

ing A, having a jam-nut 60 on the outside of casing, the end of stembeing squared at 59 to permit of being turned up or down with a wrench.A

The head onstationary pist-on L is provided with a snap-ring 58, put onin the usual manner. This head fitsthebore 57 of yoke F. As the yokewith valve E ascends the openings 56 56 come above the piston L. Asthese are all within the chamber of live steam, steam rushes in abovethe piston-head, and as the valve is forced downward and with. it theyoke there is live steam conlined above the piston-head L within thebore 57 of yoke F. This steam being confined will greatly Vincrease thepressure within the bore and form a cushion, obviating the sudden shockof the l downward stroke. yBy means of this screw adjustment thissteam-cushion can be made great or less as required.

There is provided at the top of valve E a 'coil-spring 44, lwith itsupper end incased within a chamber to receive it.l This 'springcompresses when thevalve rises and insures the positive action of valvein case the steampressure is very low and not sufficient to overcome thefriction on the valve occasioned byv the packing against the valve andthe bottom The chambers P P and Q Q are oil-chambers to be partly filledwith lubricating-oils to lubricate the contiguous bearings.

i From the foregoing description, in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, it will be seen that I have provided a duplex rotarysteam-'engine that consists of few parts, the same being durable,readily removed, and

positive in their operations and that by their movements I produce anengine that can be run at high speed, l[hat uses steam eXpansively to ahigh degree and hence economically and effectively, and one in which thepossibility of leakage or loss of steam is reduced IOO IIO

Vers having packing-strips 15 15 and 16 16 held apart and against theexterior and interior circumference walls of the annular chambers 1411i, the flange I which is fixed stationary on the shaft J by beingshrunken on the same and also by being keyed to the shaft-disks 26 bymeans of keys 2l 24, this flange having a recess to receive the disk 2Gand having bolted to it one of the piston-followers G at 22, the flangelI haviugarecess to receive the shaftdisk 25, and having bolted to it'one of the piston-followers G at 21, being keyed to the shaftdisk 25 bymeans of keys 2l 2l so that the shaft shall rotate with it, butkeyedloosely7 enough as to be longitudinallyadjustable, this [iange Il als'ohaving a sleeve 3l which fits on shaft J so as to be movablelongitudinally, this sleeve 3l having an adjusting-nut 32 threaded intoits outer end with a left thread and onto the end of shaft .I with aright thread, the shaft .I having the fixed disks 25 and 26 onto whichthe flanges H and I are keyed, having one part 3l reduced to receive thesleeve 3l, and having'its extremity still further reduced and threadedto receive the adjusting-nut 32, substantially as specified.

2. In a duplex rotary engine, in combination, the sectionalcylinder-casings, the annular chambers llll, the piston-followers G G,the rotating flanges II and I, the keypins marked 2l, the shaft J, thecam K of the shaft .I located between the two shaft-disks 25 and 2G,having the projections 27 and 2S, the yoke F, having an irregularly-curved opening in which the cam K rotates, having a projection 30against which the two projections 27 and 2S of the cam in its rotationimpinge for the purpose of lifting the yoke and the valve and giving thevalve its two unequal movements in each revolution of the piston,substantially as specified.

In a duplex rotary engine, in combination, the shaft J, the cam K of theshaft .I located between the shaft-disks 25 and` 26, having theprojections 27 and 28, the yoke F having an irregularly-eurved openingin which the cam K rotates, having a projection 30 against which the twoprojections 27 and 28 of the cam in its rotation thrust for the purposeof lifting the yoke F and the valve, this yoke consisting of two piecessecurely bolted together so as to act as one, the lower portion having abore 57 which fits about and reeiprocates upon a stationary piston L,this bore having openings marked 5G about its circumference to admitsteam within the bore above the piston L for the purpose of cushionin gthe stroke of valve, the stationary piston L, havingpacking-rin gs ofthe usual character, having the screw-ad j ustment extension 59 withjam-nut GO, for the purpose of adjusting the piston vertically andregulating the amount of steam compression in the bore of yoke, thecylinder-casing A to which this station ary piston is attached,substantially as specified.

1. In a duplex rotary engine, in combination, the shaft, the cam K ofshaft, the yoke F having projections 30, in which yoke the cam K havingprojections 27 and 28 rotates to lift the same, having4 a bore in itslower portion to receive the piston L, the piston L havingscrew-adjustment extension 59 and jam-nut 60, the cylinder-casing Asupporting the piston L, the slide-valve E securely bolted to yoke F soas to reciprocate with it, this valve having a top rib 52, a spring-lug5l, a coil-spring 44, and having ports 9 9 connecting with steam-space Oand the ports ll Il in the casing, having ports lO l0, connecting withports l2 12 and 13 13 in the casing, having slots in its lower edge toreceive the flanges H and'I, having beveled edges 39 39, thepacking-pieces 37 37 of valve, each having a projection 38 on one sideat an angle of forty-five degrees, to which fit the beveled edges ofvalve at 39 39, each having also an L-shaped extension 40, which extenddownward and are covered bythe edges of flanges II and I, having alsothe springs 4:1 Lil which hold the two pieces 37 37 against`the valve,substantially as specified.

5. In a duplex rotary engine, in combination, the cylinder A, having aninlet steamchamber N, the steam-chamber O in the capcasing D, thechannel in which the valve E reciprocates connecting the chambers N andO, the slide-valve E securely bolted to the yoke F so as to reciprocatewith it, this valve having the top rib 52, the spring-lug 5l forreceiving the spring al, and the coil-spring 4i for the purpose ofsecuring the positive movement of the valve, having slots in its loweredge for the purpose of receiving the flanges II and I, having bevelededges 39 39, the packing-pieces 37 37 of valve fitting against thebeveled edges, this valve having also ports 9 9 communicating with thesteamchamber O and the ports ll ll in the casing, having the ports l0 lOcommunicating with the ports l2 l2 and 13 I3 in the casing, the ports llll and l2 l2 in the casing and the channel connecting the same, theports 13 l1) between the valve and the casing leading into the annularchambers 1t 14:, the sectional cylinder-casing and the rotating flangesII and I forming the annular chambers 14t- 14, the annular chambers I4:I4, having the exhaust-ports 8 8, the piston-followers G G bolted to therotating flanges II and I and rotating within the annular chambers 14:Il for the purpose of rotating the shaft, substantially as specified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixedmysignature in the presence of two witnesses.

ALFRED LEE.

Witnesses:

O. l. Bnownn, TEANIE CAMPBELL.

IOO

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